The Pink Flamingo :: Why Is the MSM Ignoring Barack Obama's Little Rezko Problem?

The reason you don’t go after someone personally is because when real issues pop up, your credibility is shot. The Clintons are the perfect example of this. Slick has been so busy hammering Obama on nothing, but personal issues and race that he has completely destroyed his wife’s ability to go after Obama for his ties with Antoin “Tony” Rezko. Then again, with their past it might not be a good idea. The Rezko ties alone make Barack Obama an extremely flawed candidate. I am wondering when we can get past the immature politics of race with Obama and can go for some substance. Republicans are concerned that he might be difficult to beat, but the Rezko story, which is not being covered in the press, is massive – huge.

If Barack Obama were a Republican, regardless of race or gender, this would be enough to force his resignation from the Senate and consign him to political oblivion. Frank Main has been covering the story for the Chicago Sun Times. Evidently there existed a quid pro quo between Barack Obama and Tony Rezko for many years. Main has uncovered ties between Rezko, a young intern, John Armanda, and very large campaign donations from Armanda’s parents to Obama’s war chest, something like $11,500 since 2000. It should be noted that there is nothing wrong with this amount, which reflects a little less than the allowable max that can be contributed to a campaign, but does reflect a regular pattern of donations. It should also be noted that John Armanda’s father, Joseph is an unindicted co-conspirator in the charges against Rezko.

“…Rezko was indicted in October for allegedly trying to collect nearly $6 million in kickbacks from government deals and trying to shake down a Hollywood producer for $1.5 million in campaign contributions to Gov. Blagojevich. Obama and Rezko have been friends since 1990, and the Wilmette businessman has raised as much as $60,000 in campaign contributions for him. After Rezko’s indictment, Obama donated $11,500 to charity — the amount Rezko contributed to the senator’s federal campaign fund. Gibbs said he did not know whether Obama was considering returning any contributions from Aramanda given his alleged role in the federal corruption cases against Rezko and former Teachers Retirement System board member Stuart Levine. Aramanda is identified as “Individual D” in Rezko’s indictment. And when Levine pleaded guilty in October, Aramanda again was listed as “Individual D.” Aramanda was identified by the Sun-Times as “Individual D,” who allegedly received a $250,000 kickback tied to a scheme to steer lucrative state pension deals to firms and consultants that donated to Blagojevich. Aramanda is not specifically named or charged with criminal wrongdoing in the court papers. He could not be reached for comment Saturday. Aramanda has contributed $11,500 to Obama's campaigns since 2000, Gibbs said. He gave $1,000 toward Obama’s run for Congress against Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) in 2000; $500 to Obama’s Senate campaign in 2003 and $10,000 to his Senate campaign in 2004, Gibbs said….”

Then there is John Kass of the Chicago Tribune. and his take of the Rezko photo and the Clintons.
Judicial Watch Blog – Did Obama return all of the Rezko cash?

“…The news inspired Obama to clear his coffers of all Rezko-related dollars this week. The senator gave an additional $72,650 to charity, brining the total of Rezko dollars that Obama has given away to $149,985. That leaves $50,015 unaccounted for, according to one major newspaper that has followed the story closely….”

Is Rezko a true problem for Obama or just one of those old Hsu’s?

“…Obama maintains his relationship with Rezko was "above board and legal" but has admitted bad judgment, calling his decision to involve Rezko "a bone-headed mistake." Rezko's behind-the-scenes connection in the Obama house deal became public as Rezko revealed personal financial details as he sought to post bail. While Rezko's wife paid the full asking price for the land, Obama paid $300,000 under the asking price for the house. The house sold for $1,650,000 and the price Rezko's wife paid for the land was $625,000….”

Is it acceptable to go after Barack Obama on the facts? If so, will the story be considered a 'racial attack'? When does Obama stop becoming the sacred one, and grows up enough to become a real, actual flesh and blood candidate? There is something very wrong with a candidate running for ANY office, let alone the most powerful one in the world if they cannot enter the fight for the office. We all know Bill Clinton is doing everything he can to destroy his wife's chances to be POTUS. This aside, the great tragedy is the fact that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are seriously flawed with some major ethical problems. If they were Republicans they would be in serious trouble. If both candidates had been treated as any Republican would be out of it and John Edwards would be the beneficiary. If Barack Obama cannot be challenged because of his race, then he has truly lowered himself to nothing but a candidate based on race. It's too bad he's not enough of a grown up to come out and deal with this problem, but he cowers behind the epitaph of racism. I truly think Hillary Clinton is now terrified to challenge him. If she attacks over the Rezko problem, is she attacking on the issue or attacking on race? Her husband has so damaged her campaign, she's almost helpless. If I were her, I'd be crying, too.